Contrasting styles of rock theatrics were on display last night at the Coliseum.

It was the cheap, imitative antics of Holy Smoke that crystalized the explosive, but controlled, power of the dynamic Who.

In an incredible display of the loudest possible rock and roll, the Who — Roger Daltrey, John Entwhistle, Peter Townsend and Keith Moon — totally cut loose in a full two-hour concert.

Holy Smoke, which opened the show, was not only dull but imitative of at least five other bands. Frequent attempts by the group to excite the crowd proved fruitless, and mercifully they departed after a short set.

Relying on the popular old and the ultra-successful new, the Who demonstrated that their theater of rock has not only been refined but definitely has improved.

They are a much more musical delegation on this tour than previously. There is more emphasis placed on the vocalizations than before, and quite possibly because they have a lot more to say.

Their timing is more precise and exact, while instrumentally they are more complex and original. Of special interest were the complicated tapes that they had rigged up in order to incorporate the prerecorded synthesizer moog into their newer tunes from the latest album, "Who's Next."

On "Don't Get Fooled Again," the moog and the drumming of Keith Moon nearly brought down the crowded house as hundreds of excited fanatics rushed the stage to get closer to the vibrating Who.

Not content with that outburst, the Who further electrified the gathering with bits and pieces from the rock opera, "Tommy." Building to a fever-pitched "See me, feel me," the Who climaxed the show with their standard "My Generation."

On the Who's last stop in the Valley — more than three years ago — they were known as the enfants terribles of rock. Well they still are that, but Townsend in particular is now the recognized master of the electrified guitar.

Flopping, jumping and rolling all over the stage, Townsend literally tore himself and at least one of his guitars to shreds as he smashed the eardrums of all that gathered.

He and singer Daltrey were in complete command and incredibly coordinated as they traded quick riffs all night long. It was the screaming of Daltrey, paralleling the cry of Townsend's wailing guitar.

Almost taunting the crowd all night long with his definitive solos and rhythmic backing, Townsend finally let go and pounded his guitar on the Coliseum stage with obvious glee and excitement.

And, yes, he distributed the remains to the howling mob who begged for that very souvenir.